Complaint Dismissed Against Judge Who Questioned Defendant's Knowledge of Bible

Yesterday's Cincinnati Enquirer reports that the Ohio Supreme Court has dismissed a complaint that was filed against Hamilton County Municipal Court Judge John Burlew. (See prior posting.) In April, in a hearing to set bond for Eric Hine who was charged with receiving stolen property, Hine's attorney argued that Hine was employed and regularly attended church. To test the claim, Judge Burlew asked Hine to recite the 23rd Psalm. When Hine did so, the judge released him on his own recognizance. This led David Palmer of Folsom, California to file the complaint with the Ohio Supreme Court, alleging that it was improper to reduce Hine's bond because of his religious beliefs.